Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

After ten days of rapid travel, Wu Fan and Niu Dazhuang, riding their spirit steeds, finally arrived at Falling Star Valley Market.

During the journey, Wu Fan had already clearly outlined the important tasks for this trip.

First, the spoils piled up in his storage bag, besides the pills he obtained from killing Liu Xi, also included surplus goods he had accumulated over the past two years of cultivation. The quantity far exceeded what he needed for his own use, and he had to sell them through Li Buhui and several secret channels in the market to realize their value.

Second, purchase medicinal materials and magical artifacts for refining first-grade high-quality pills.

The one-time use magic weapon used in the last sneak attack on Liu Xi was extremely effective in actual combat, helping him to achieve unexpected victories against enemies. Wu Fan plans to purchase a few more.

Although using magical artifacts as a means of surprise attack is quite extravagant, if it can provide an extra layer of protection in a critical situation, then spending these spirit stones is worthwhile.

In addition, he also plans to purchase a suitable flying artifact.

Third, and this is Wu Fan's most important task right now, is to find materials that can be used to upgrade the Five Elements Beads.

Now that he has a considerable fortune, he finally has the confidence to get started on this matter.

Wu Fan's main cultivation technique is the fire attribute technique "Crimson Fire Technique". He plans to first find some rare materials that can nourish the fire attribute source power, so as to improve the fire element source. Then the fire spirit root and spiritual charm will also be improved, and the cultivation speed in the future will definitely be faster.

There are so many things to do at this small gathering, and we may not be able to get everything done. We can only do our best and accomplish as many things as we can.

More importantly, this purchase will require a huge amount of spirit stones, so we must be extremely careful and absolutely avoid arousing the covetousness of others.

......

The two followed the old route they used to take to Falling Star Valley Market and arrived at Wind Rest Tower.

The flags outside the building fluttered in the breeze, and the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled softly, just like they had a few years ago.

As soon as the two reached the door, a hearty laugh greeted them: "Haha! Brother Wu, Brother Niu, we've been waiting for you! Please come in, I've been drinking alone and was just worried about having no one to drink with!"

Li Buhui strode forward and warmly embraced the two of them.

Wu Fan looked up and almost didn't recognize the other person.

The Li Buhui of the past, who was always dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and had a sharp look like a chivalrous knight in the mortal world, is now wearing a brocade robe of luxurious material, with a jade buckle tied around his waist, and a few neat wisps of beard under his chin.

His demeanor became increasingly calm and gentle. At first glance, he seemed like a businessman of extraordinary bearing, yet he showed no trace of vulgarity, only making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Looking at the aura flowing around him, it was thick and long, clearly indicating that he was not far from the threshold of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

"Brother Li, you look like you've been reborn."

Wu Fan shook his head with a smile, "If it weren't for this voice, I would have thought I had mistaken someone for someone else."

Niu Dazhuang chimed in loudly, "That's right! Brother Li is acting like a pampered manager now."

Upon hearing this, Li Buhui laughed heartily and led the two to a private room on the second floor, saying as they walked, "When dealing with people in this marketplace, you always need to present yourself in this kind of attire. Compared to the fighting and killing in the demon-hunting team before, this kind of life is much more comfortable. Please sit down, the food and wine are all prepared."

The private room was decorated very elegantly, and the window offered a wide view, allowing one to take in most of the scenery of the street.

The three sat down one by one. Li Buhui first took out a jar of wine from his storage bag and filled the cups of the two men: "Come on, let's have a drink and catch up. Did you have any troubles on your journey?"

Wu Fan picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then smiled, "Thanks to Brother Li, the journey here has been extremely smooth. However, there is something I need to trouble you with this time."

"Brother Wu, please feel free to speak up."

Upon hearing this, Li Buhui immediately put down the wine cup he was about to drink from, his expression becoming more serious. "Given our years of friendship, why use the word 'trouble'? That's too formal! I wonder if Brother Wu is selling something, or looking for some valuable items?"

Wu Fan nodded slightly, his tone earnest: "Over the years, I first worked as a resident alchemist at Bai Dan Tang, and later I was invited by the Bai family to take charge of alchemy within the clan. I have accumulated quite a few pills over the years. However, I have been a bit short of cash lately, and I was thinking of relying on Brother Li's shop to sell these pills safely."

Upon hearing this, Li Buhui picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, showing his hearty attitude: "Of the four of us who were apprentices at Baidan Hall back then, only Brother Wu is still diligently studying alchemy. The rest of us have long since changed professions and lost our skills. Now, Brother Wu, I will naturally help you with your pills. Brother Wu, you don't need to consign them anymore, I'll just buy them all."

"Thank you very much, Brother Li!"

Wu Fan immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, his posture extremely sincere.

He then raised his hand and touched the storage bag at his waist. Several porcelain bottles flew out of the bag and landed steadily on the table. The bottles were labeled with the names of various pills.

These pills were more than half the quantity in his storage bag, and the selling price was about eight or nine hundred low-grade spirit stones. According to the purchase price, they were worth only five hundred low-grade spirit stones. This amount was just right, as it would not cause Li Buhui to overthink due to the high value, and it would also showcase his alchemy skills. It was a quantity he had already planned.

Li Buhui glanced at the many medicine bottles on the table, without even looking at them closely. Then, with a wave of his hand, a gentle spiritual energy enveloped all the porcelain bottles, and in an instant, they were all stored in his storage bag.

Wu Fan was somewhat surprised and asked, "Brother Li, won't you check the quality of this batch of pills?"

"Why go to such lengths?"

Li Buhui smiled crookedly, then waved his hand and said, "Brother Wu, do you think I don't trust your alchemy skills? This batch of pills is definitely of top quality. I'll send you the spirit stones as soon as I finish counting them."

"Then thank you very much, Brother Li."

Wu Fan's face was full of gratitude, but he was secretly pondering to himself.

Li Buhui's ability to establish himself in Falling Star Valley and amass a fortune of several shops in just a few years is indeed remarkable.

With such a discerning eye for people, trustworthiness, and a generous and straightforward demeanor, it's no wonder he can gather such a large network of connections; he truly deserves admiration.

Once the matter was settled, the three of them relaxed completely, clinking glasses and chatting about their experiences over the past few years.

The atmosphere was lively and harmonious, and before they knew it, it was late at night. The three of them had enjoyed themselves to the fullest and got up to return to the rooms arranged by the restaurant.

As soon as he closed the door, the drunkenness on Wu Fan's face vanished instantly, and his eyes regained their usual clarity and sharpness, the gentle and casual demeanor from before completely gone.

He quickly took out the prepared clothes and changed into them. He took off the scholar's robe he wore during the day and put on a set of shorts that were easy to move in. Then he pushed open the door and walked out of the restaurant. Under the cover of night, he turned into a quiet alley.

With no one in the alley, he took out a set of black tight-fitting clothes, changed into them, covered his face with a mask, revealing only his eyes, and walked quickly toward a shop in Falling Star Valley.